Dual purpose furniture construction



May 7, 1963 c. EAMES DUAL PURPOSE FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 6, 1959 INVENTOR m CHARLES EAMES ATTORNEYS y 7, 1963 c. EAMES 3,088,127

DUAL PURPOSE FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 6, 1959 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CHA RLES EA MES ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,088,127 Patented May 7, 1963 3,088,127 DUAL PURPOSE FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Charles Eames, Venice, Calif., assignor to Herman Miller, Inc., a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 851,468 1 Claim. (Cl. -2)

This invention relates to a dual purpose furniture construction. More particularly, this invention relates to a furniture construction including a first and a second unit of furniture interconnected together, the first unit providing support for the second unit and positioned to avoid interference with the first unit when it is in use. The second unit accessible for use only when the first unit is moved to a position of storage.

This application covers a related invention to that disclosed and claimed in patent application entitled, Storage, filed concurrently herewith in which I am a co-inventor with Don Albinson. I r

The cost of constructing many types of housing facilities, such as dormitories, motels and hotels is presently so great that it has become essential that the space in each room or subdivision of such a building be used to its maximum eflicieney. Failure to do this results in a capital investment so great that the space cannot be rented at a rate which will amortize the initial investment. To overcome this difficulty, there has been an ever increasing trend toward built-in facilities in such buildings. Rooms with built-in facilities may be made smaller than rooms conventionally furnished and yet afford the desired impression of spaciousness necessary to make them useful and attractive. This invention goes still further and in corporates a dual purpose furniture construction to be utilized in such buildings. This dual purpose furniture construction provides one unit of furniture which is movable from a position of use to a storage position. A sec-ond unit of furniture which may be adapted for an entirely unrelated use is secured to this first unit of furniture, the second unit being usable only when the first unit is in storage position and stored out of the way when the first unit is being used.

Besides the great advantage obtained from the conservation of space, this invention provides a further advantage in that the dual purpose furniture construction is especially adapted to be supported on a wall, making no contact with either the ceiling or the floor. This leaves the floor clear and readily accessible for cleaning. This speeds cleaning operations, thus, reducing overhead. It assures complete sanitation of the facilities.

This furniture construction is both simple in construction and easy to operate. Because of the dual purpose of the furniture construction, many parts are eliminated because of the fact that two independent furniture units are no longer necessitated. It is especially adapted for long wear even though given long and rough usage as is often the case in motels and dormitories.

Over and above all this, a completely new concept in conservation of space is taught. This dual purpose furniture construction adds much to conventional constructions teaching the provision of a furniture unit which may be collapsed or otherwise moved into a storage position when not in use. This invention provides a second unit of furniture which is of a type that would normally only be used when the first unit of furniture is in storage position. This second unit of furniture is designed to function only when the first unit is in storage and to occupy the space used by the first unit when positioned to be used. The second unit is supported by the first unit and is moved to a position of storage such that it will not interfere with the first unit when moved to its position of use. Although interconnected and interrelated,

the two units are adapted to function cooperatively but at different times, the one being used while the other is in storage and vice versa. Thus, the space occupied by this furniture is used with maximum efliciency because it is utilized at all times and is readily adapted from one type of use to another.

These and other objects and purposes of this invention will be understood by those acquainted with the design and construction of buildings and furniture upon reading the following specification and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first unit of furniture, a bed being shown, positioned for use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bed shown in FIG. 1 moved to its storage position and a second unit of furniture, a chair being shown, secured thereto, the chair being shown in its position of use in solid lines and in its storage position in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, except that the second unit of furniture comprises a desk or table.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, except that the second unit of furniture comprises a lounge.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view showing the manner in which the panels supporting this dual purpose furniture construction are secured to a wall.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bed platform shown in FIG. 1, certain parts being broken away to better show its structure.

FIG. 7 is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view of a modified means for securing the panels to their supporting structure.

Briefly, this invention discloses a dual purpose furniture construction including a pair of spaced supporting members, a first unit of furniture positioned between the supporting members and pivotally secured thereto and movable from a generally horizontal position of use to a generally vertical position of storage between the supporting members. A second unit of furniture is secured to the bottom of the first unit of furniture and supported thereby, the second unit of furniture being movable from a position of use to a position of storage substantially flush with the bottom of the first unit of furniture. The size of the second unit of furniture in its position of storage is such that it does not interfere with the first unit of furniture when the first unit of furniture is positioned for use with the second unit of furniture in its storage position therebelow.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 14, the reference numeral 10 indicates a wall of a room. Secured in the wall 10 are a pair of spaced, parallel rails 11, the same reference numeral indicating both an upper and a lower rail. The lower rail is spaced .a significant distance above the floor F and the upper rail is spaced a significant distance below the ceiling C. Supported on the rail 11 are a pair of panels 12. For attachment to the rails, each of the panels has a top spline 13 and .a similar bottom spline. The splines are anchored to the panels by suitable means such as screws 14 (FIG. 5). The splines project beyond the rear edge of the panel and have a vertical slot 15 extending partially through the spline. The upper and lower splines are identical except that the lower spline is inverted so that the slot 15 opens upwardly rather than downwardly. The splines hook into a hat-shaped anchor fitting 16 having a slot 17 for interfitting with and seating the spline. The anchor fittings 16 are secured to the rail-s, such as the rail 11, by means of a pair of screws 18 which engage the nut 19 mounted on the inside of the rail. To facilitate assembly, the nuts may be temporarily retained in the rails by the springs 28.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified means for anchoring the the floor or the ceiling with this arrangement, their ends being spaced a significant distance from both. This structure is described in more detail in the co-pending application entitled, Storage. The above description of the means of securing the panels to the rails is merely illustrative since other means could very well be used without departing from the principles of this invention. It will also be recognized that for the purposes of supporting the dual furniture construction of this invention, it is unnecessary to employ the rails 11 since any other specific type of secure anchoring means for attaching the panels to the wall may be utilized and this invention is not to be considered as limited to the use of the rails and the specific attachment means illustrated in FIG. 5.

Further, in its broadest sense this invention is not limited to panels mounted on a wall. Rather, the broadest aspect of this invention may be practiced through the utilization of other types of support means. However, in a more limited aspect the panels do comprise a part of tln's invention because of the manner in which they cooperate with the structure of the dual purpose furniture construction of this invention.

Pivotally secured between the panels 12 is a first unit of furniture, shown to be a bed 20 in FIG. 1. The bed 20 is positioned between the panels 12 and pivotally secured thereto at the pivotal connections 21. Thus, one end of the bed 20 is entirely supported by the panels 12. The other end of the bed is supported by the leg 22 which is attached to .the bottom of the bed 20 by brackets 23 (FIG. 2). A latch means 24 is provided at the end of the bed 20 away from the wall which may be of the spring loaded type. The purpose of this latch means and the operations thereof will be explained hereinafter.

A header bar 30 joins the panels 12 at their top. The header bar 30 is provided with a latch opening 31. Shelves 35 are shown mounted between the panels 12, together with a light 36 (FIG. 1). The pivotal connections 21 are spaced a distance from the wall 10, providing a space for a mattress 25 on the bed 20 when the bed is pivoted upwardly. The spacing of the pivotal connections 21 from the wall 10 also allows room for the light 36 and the shelves 25, which may store objects normally used only when the bed is positioned for use. The shelves, light and spacing for the mattress do not constitute a part of this invention but rather show a very practical environment therefor.

As one lifts the end of the bed 20 lying away from the wall 10 upwardly, the end 20 pivots about the pivotal connections 21 and is positioned between the panels 12 as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The latch means 24 projects into the latch opening 31 of the header bar 30, locking the bed 20 in raised or storage pisition. A foot plate 26 is provided on the bottomof the bed 20 at its end nearest the wall 10, the foot plate 26 being operably connected to the latch means 24 by means of a rod 27 (FIG. 6), providing a simple means to detract the latch means 24 from the latch opening 31 so that the bed may be lowered to the position shown in FIG. 1.

The bottom of the bed 20 is so constructed internally that other units of furniture may be mounted upon it which are useful and available when the bed is in raised or folded condition. FIG. 6 illustrates a construction for the bed platform 20 which will permit this. The bed platform 20 has a structural frame consisting of a pair of end rails 80, a pair of side rails 81 and two or more intermediate rails 82. It will be recognized that more or less intermediate rails may be used, as required. This frame is enclosed on one face with a skin 83 and on the other face with a skin 83a. These skins may be of any suitable material such as plywood, a dense pressed WOOd board or other material. The whole is preferably joined into a single structural unit 20 by suitable adhesives.

Mounted to the back of bottom face 83 of the bed platform 20 is a second unit of furniture, shown in FIG. 2 as a chair 41). The chair 46 has a seat frame 41, a back frame 42 and a pair of arm frame members 43. The inner or rearward ends of the seat frame member 41 are pivotally attached to the anchor brackets 44 as are the rearward ends of the arm frames or links 43. The back frame member 42 is pivotally attached to the seat frame member at the pivot 45. It is also attached to the arm links at the pivot 46. This permits the chair to fold from the open position shown in solid lines to the folded or storage position shown in phantom lines. In its storage position it is substantially flat against the surface of the bed 25. The chair 4!), in folded position, is secured to the bed platform by suitable means such as straps 47.

The chair 40 is entirely supported by the bed 20 since the anchor brackets 44 are secured to the bed platform by any suitable means such as screws or bolts and T nuts on inner side of platform threaded into the side rails 81 or the intermediate rails 82. It will be noted that the chair in both folded and open positions has no structure touching the floor, being entirely supported upon the bed. Before the bed is lowered, the chair is folded and latched or secured by the straps 47. The bed can then be released and lowered into sleeping position, as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the chair being folded up under the bed platform is stored as a suspended structure beneath the bed but spaced above the floor. In this case, the location of the foot plate 26 for the bed securing latch is particularly desirable in the center beneath the chair. This tends to prevent accidental release of the bed supporting latch and at the same time tends to prevent any possibility of lowering the bed before the chair has been folded to afford access to the bed release latch.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative second unit of furniture secured to the bed 20. In this figure, a desk 50 is substituted for the chair 40. The desk 50 is hinged to the bed at 51 by any suitable means such as a piano hinge. The outward or forward end of the desk 50 is supported by the arms 52 which are pivotally secured .to the bed 20 at 53. The arms 52 engage and support the desk 50 when it is in open .and usable position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. The desk 50 is shown in lowered or storage position in phantom lines in FIG. 3, the arms 52 pivoting against the bed 20, the desk 50 lowered upon them and secured to the bottom of the bed by suitable means such a a strap 54.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another alternative use of the bed as a support for other units of furniture. In this figure, a lounging platform or low table 60 is substituted for the chair 40 or the desk 50. Again, the platform 60 is hinged to the bed 20 by any suitable means such as a piano hinge 61. The outward or forward end of the platform 60 has a supporting leg 62. Thus, the platform on one end is supported entirely on the bed and on the other end by the leg 62. Before the bed 20 is removed from its storage position, the platform 60 is folded into storage position flat against the outer face 83 of the bed platform. In this position it is retained by any suitable means such as the strap 63. When the bed is lowered, the leg 62 also serves as the support for the outward or forward end of the bed, serving the same purpose as the leg 22 described hereinbefore. Thus, leg 62 serves as a support in both the use of the bed and the use of the platform 60. The platform 60 may be designed for any one of several purposes. It could be so designed that it serves as a daytime lounge, cot or sofa. It could be in the form of a work bench or a coffee table. It will be recognized that, if desired, the whole unit may be moved up the bed so that it could provide a full height table such as a desk or drafting table. In this case, the outward supporting legs could not serve both the bed and the platform but this would be immaterial to the dual character of the furniture unit.

It should also now be obvious that the dual character of this furniture is illustrative rather than exhaustive of the various types of dual purpose usages which may be incorporated into a room by the use of this invention. For example, the first unit of furniture need not necessarily comprise a bed as shown in the drawings. Rather, the first unit of furniture could comprise a table while the second unit of furniture could be a chair :and so on. It is to be understood that this invention has provided a dual purpose furniture construction which incorporates two unrelated units of furniture in one construction. When the first unit of furniture is in use, the second unit of furniture is in storage and completely hidden. When the first unit of furniture is moved to a storage position, the second unit of furniture may then be used while being supported by the first unit of furniture and occupying the space it was using before being moved to storage position.

An entirely new concept in the conservation of space has been disclosed in that a single unit of furniture actually serves a dual purpose. The purposes which are served are unrelated, the one normally being used when the other would not normally be used. For example, the conversion of a dormitory, motel or hotel room from a living room or study in daytime to a bedroom at night. Further, if additional space is desired in the room, the entire furniture construction occupies practically no space as both units are adapted to be positioned for storage. With a dual purpose furniture construction of this type, rooms in buildings such as motels and dormitories can initially be made much smaller without prejudice to their actual usable space. The advantages of such an arrangement are many and obvious.

A structure for this dual purpose furniture unit has been shown which is sturdy and well adapted for long and rough usage. The parts of this furniture construction are relatively uncomplicated, thereby necessitating a minimum of repair. Further, the structure is such that it facilitate-s easy, quick and dependable operation.

While a preferred embodiment and execution of this invention has been illustrated and described, modifications thereof may be made. Such of these modifications as incorporate the principles of this invention are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claim, unless this claim, by its language, expressly states otherwise.

I claim:

A dual purpose furniture construction in combination with the structure of a roomhaving a first component and a second component: means for hanging said first component upon a wall with its lower end spaced from the floor and its upper end spaced from the ceiling; said means comprising a pair of rails secured on said wall parallel to the floor and to each other, a pair of side support panels arranged vertical to the floor and to the Wall with one edge secured to said rails; said first component having a first panel hinged about its lower end between and to the lower ends of said support panels for swinging movement from a substantially vertical storage position to a substantially horizontal open position; a header bar secured between and to the upper ends of said support panels; said first component and said header bar having cooperating locking means for locking said first panel in storage position; said second component being pivotally connected to the outer face of said panel and movable from a storage position generally flat against said panel to an open position extending outwardly from said panel when said panel is in storage position; said locking means including a trip lever projecting outwardly from said panel below said second component and a latch located at the top of said first component with means for interconnecting the lever and latch whereby said trip lever can cause unlocking of said locking means when said second component is in storage position but is inaccessible from above when said second component is open.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 357,530 Krause Feb. 8, 1887 507,576 Zislsperger Oct. 31, 1893 517,458 Hopkins Apr. 3, 1894 895,571 Merrill Aug. 11, 1908 1,104,615 Braden July 21, 1914 1,191,307 Hornschuch July 18, 1916 1,916,509 Hammer July 4, 1933 2,159,494 Wright May 23, 1939 2,257,211 Willoughby Sept. 30, 1941 2,588,785 Will Mar. 11, 1952 2,669,730 Bystrom Feb. 23, 1954 2,671,230 Potter Mar. 9, 1954 2,931,686 Afdal Apr. 5, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 518,147 Canada Nov. 8, 1955 205,700 Austria Oct. 10, 1959 

